China-Russia ties at ‘historic high,’ says general amid Western friction

Beijing, Oct 15 (EFE).- Relations between China and Russia have reached their “highest level in history,” one of China’s top military leaders said on Tuesday.

Zhang Youxia, the vice chairman of the ruling Communist Party’s Central Military Commission, which controls the armed forces, met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in Beijing, in a gesture of deepening ties between the two nations.

Zhang told Belousov that China intended to “continue working closely” with Russia.

The Russian defense minister is in China for the second day of his official visit, during which the war in Ukraine is a key topic on the agenda.

The visit precedes Chinese President Xi Jinping’s upcoming trip to Russia for a BRICS summit next week.

Zhang said the strong bilateral ties have developed under the “strategic leadership” of Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He noted that the relationship between China and Russia continues to “evolve in a healthy and stable manner,” according to a statement from China’s defense ministry.

The Chinese general emphasized the significance of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, calling it a “new starting point” for bolstering their “long-term good-neighborly friendship,” “high-level strategic trust,” and “mutually beneficial cooperation.”

During the meeting, Zhang stressed the need to implement the consensus reached by both leaders, maintain high-level exchanges, and deepen military cooperation to safeguard the sovereignty, security, and development interests of both nations.

Belousov praised the “historical friendship” between Russia and China and expressed his readiness to enhance cooperation, aiming to expand strategic collaboration in various areas.

The two agreed on the importance of further strengthening their strategic partnership, with a focus on defense, security, and regional stability.

In September, China and Russia conducted joint naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, reflecting their close military cooperation.

Analysts see these exercises as part of a broader trend of deepening military ties between the two nations, particularly as tensions with the West continue to rise.

The visit also comes amid Western accusations that China has been providing military support to Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, allegations Beijing has repeatedly denied.

Belousov’s visit to Beijing follows a meeting between Putin and Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian, where both leaders condemned Israel and reaffirmed their strategic partnership amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

Russia and China have also bolstered their cooperation in sensitive areas like military-technical collaboration, further straining their relations with the West. EFE

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